UFC News
MMA Community reacts after Thomas Gifford takes unnecessary damage at UFC Tampa
Chris Taylor - October 12, 2019
The MMA Community was not impressed after witnessing fighter Thomas Gifford take a terrible amount of unnecessary punishment at UFC Tampa. Thomas Gifford took on Mike Davis during tonight’s UFC Tampa prelims.
UFC Tampa Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - October 12, 2019
The Octagon invades Florida for tonight’s UFC Tampa event, a fourteen-bout fight card headlined by Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Michelle Waterson. The winner of tonight’s headliner will likely be next in line for a shot at Weili Zhang’s UFC strawweight title.
VIDEO | Anthony Pettis and Ali Abdelaziz allegedly separated by police
Chris Taylor - October 12, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and Dominance MMA owner Ali Abdelaziz were forced to be separated at last night’s PFL event in Las Vegas. Late yesterday evening reports surfaced that there had been a physical altercation between Ali Abdelaziz and First Round Management Vice President Abe Kawa.
Cain Velasquez details retirement conversation with UFC President Dana White
Chris Taylor - October 12, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez shocked fans by appearing on WWE Smackdown and then announcing his retirement from MMA. Velasquez (14-3 MMA) arrived on the popular pro-wrestling program to confront his former UFC rival Brock Lesnar over recent actions involving ‘The Beast’ and Rey Mysterio.
Report | Santiago Ponzinibbio forced out of UFC 245 fight with Robbie Lawler
Chris Taylor - October 12, 2019
December’s UFC 245 event has already taken a hit as Santiago Ponzinibbio has reportedly been forced out of his scheduled fight with Robbie Lawler. The news comes from MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn who took to Twitter with the following information.
Malki Kawa says Ali Abdelaziz "crossed the line" by slapping his brother Abe
Chris Taylor - October 12, 2019
Earlier today it was reported that a physical altercation between two prominent MMA managers occured at last night’s PFL event in Las Vegas. Abe Kawa, who is the Vice President of First Round Management, told ESPN that Ali Abdelaziz, the CEO of Dominance MMA, approached him at Mandalay Bay last night and proceeded to slap him across the face.
Report | Two of MMA's top managers involved in physical altercation
Chris Taylor - October 12, 2019
Two of the most prominent fighter managers in the sport of MMA were involved in a physical altercation in which battery was committed during Friday night’s PFL Event. Abe Kawa, who is the Vice President of First Round Management, told ESPN earlier today that Ali Abdelaziz, the CEO of Dominance MMA, approached him at Mandalay Bay and proceeded to slap him across the face.
Breaking! Cain Velasquez officially signs with WWE, retires from MMA
Adam Martin - October 11, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has officially signed a big-money, multi-year contract with the WWE. The deal will be announced at a press conference Friday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marc Raimondi of ESPN confirmed the news.
Israel Adesanya's coach says he will do what Jon Jones hasn't done and fight Stipe Miocic
Adam Martin - October 11, 2019
Israel Adesanya’s coach Eugene Bareman said “The Last Stylebender” will do what Jon Jones hasn’t done and that’s move to heavyweight to fight Stipe Miocic. Speaking to Submission Radio, Bareman criticized Jones for his reluctance to move up to the UFC heavyweight division despite fans and media calling him to move up in weight for years now. He said Adesanya would be willing to move up two weight divisions and take on Miocic if Jones doesn’t want to do so.
UFC Tampa weigh-in results: Main event official as Jedrzejczyk and Waterson make weight
Mike Pendleton - October 11, 2019
Despite all the rumblings earlier this week that former strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk would have difficulty making weight for her scheduled fight against Michelle Waterson, UFC Tampa’s main event is a go. There had been some fight week drama when a report stated that the main event was in danger after Jedrzejczyk alerted the UFC she may not make the strawweight limit of 116 pounds, but then took it upon herself to answer questions from the media all week about her weight cut. The former champion told the media not to worry about the weight cut drama and on Friday morning she showed why she had no concerns, as she hit her mark when she stepped up to the scale for the official weigh-ins.
Conor McGregor appears in court over assault case, proceedings adjourned until November 1
Mike Pendleton - October 11, 2019
Former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor appeared in a Dublin court on Friday to face the assault charge stemming from a pub incident earlier this year. Last week, McGregor was served with a summons to appear in court over the charge. According to a report from the Irish Independent, McGregor’s stay in court lasted just a few minutes and by the request of his legal team, the proceedings were adjourned until November 1. Conor McGregor will now have just over three weeks to decide whether he would like to plea or have a trial if he chooses to contest his assault charge, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a fine, or potentially both.
Bibiano Fernandes motivated as ever for fourth fight with Kevin Belingon
Tom Taylor - October 11, 2019
ONE bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes is about to fight Kevin Belingon for the fourth time. The pair will collide with the bantamweight title on the line at ONE: Century this Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. Despite the fact that he’s once again preparing for a familiar foe, Fernandes says his focus hasn’t wavered.
Max Holloway and Stephen Thompson jokingly bid for 'NMF' title showdown
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2019
Max Holloway and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson have had a little bit of fun with fans on social media by teasing the idea of an ‘NMF’ championship showdown. The back and forth started when Holloway channeled his inner Nate Diaz by imitating his now-famous speech directed at Conor McGregor from a few years back. Holloway took exception to Vicente Luque and Stephen Thompson fighting it out for the ‘Nicest Guy in MMA’ title, which was an obvious joke in response to the fact that on the same card at UFC 244, Nate Diaz will fight Jorge Masvidal for the baddest motherf***** championship.
Israel Adesanya shares the correct pronunciation of his name
Tom Taylor - October 10, 2019
Israel Adesanya is a name fight fans have been uttering a lot lately, but many of us have been saying his name wrong. Speaking on a recent episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Adesanya explained how his last name is actually pronounced (via Jed I. Goodman on Twitter). I diss on ya.#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/t7inVaLgz0
VIDEO | Watch Israel Adesanya's family, corner react to his title win
Tom Taylor - October 10, 2019
Last weekend, in the main event of UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia, Israel Adesanya captured the UFC middleweight title with a second-round stoppage of Robert Whittaker. To say his friends, family and training partners were excited about his victory would be a huge understatement. On UFC 243 episode of the UFC’s popular The Thrill and the Agony series, we get an up-close look at how those close to Adesanya reacted to his historic victory in Melbourne.
UFC Tampa | Max Griffin looking to start off new five-fight deal on the right note
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2019
Max Griffin will return to the Octagon on Saturday against Alex Morono at UFC Tampa. He last fought back in April at UFC 236 and edged out a decision over Zelim Imadaev. For Griffin, the hope was to fight much sooner than this. He was scheduled to fight in summer but the UFC could not find him an opponent.
Dan Hardy believes Khabib Nurmagomedov is the only fight that doesn't make sense for Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2019
If Dan Hardy was in charge of matchmaking fights, he would not be booking a rematch between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. The two fought at UFC 229 where Nurmagomedov seemingly dominated the entirety of the fight en route to a fourth round submission win. Since the loss, the Irishman has been clamoring for a rematch, which Dan Hardy believes doesn’t make sense. Instead, he thinks there are better options for both fighters.
Kevin Holland predicts 'Boston Massacre' of Brendan Allen at UFC Boston
Mike Heck - October 10, 2019
Kevin Holland was originally scheduled to fight Antonio Arroyo in November in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Then, an opportunity arose to face a familiar regional foe in one of the greatest fighting cities in the world. Holland will replace Eric Spicely to face Brendan Allen at UFC on ESPN 6, which was first reported by MMA Junkie. The event will take place next Friday, Oct. 18 at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass. While the opportunity to fight Allen was an exciting one, he now gets to compete on the card he had hoped to get on.